Inspiring Patient Stories

Patient of the Month: Luife

August 17, 2018 – While he was still inside his mother’s womb, Luife was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries, a congenital heart defect. Shortly after birth, Luife was taken by ambulance to the cardiac team at Nicklaus Children’s. The pediatric cardiology team took Luife’s heart apart, piece by delicate piece, and successfully, put it back together. Today, Luife is a healthy, active and outgoing 8-year-old boy who wears his “Scar of Honor” with pride.

Harry's Badge of Honor

August 08, 2018 – Harry was admitted for heart surgery when he was only three years old. The life saving surgery and care he received in 1988, in what was then Miami Children's Hospital, has resulted in a fulfilling and accomplished adult life for this aspiring public servant.

Patient of the Month: Justin

July 25, 2018 – The moment Justin was born, his mother and father were faced with the most daunting and challenging experience any parent can imagine. Just hours after birth, Justin was airlifted to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for more specialized pediatric care. Having been diagnosed with pulmonary atresia and tetralogy of Fallot, he required immediate attention before it was too late.

Haley's Success Story

July 03, 2018 – Growing up, Haley Gantt suffered from scoliosis. She had to wear a back brace to prevent her curve from worsening, but unfortunately, she was later told that a spinal fusion surgery would have to be considered because the brace had failed to prevent the curve from progressing. She fought hard and got through it. An accomplished basketball player, Haley is now on her way to playing Division II basketball for Biola University in Southern California.

Daniella Celebrates her Ninth Birthday by Advocating for Children’s Health

June 26, 2018 – On this very same day nine years ago, Daniella Alvarez was diagnosed Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT), a rare and aggressive type of brain cancer. The news came on June 26, 2009, her second birthday. Daniella endured years of brain surgeries, aggressive chemotherapies, radiation, imaging scans, multiple visits to intensive care at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. She is now cancer free thanks to a pediatric clinical trial made possible through research funding.

Patient of the Month: Victoria

June 01, 2018 – Meet Victoria, our June Patient of the Month! Before birth, Victoria, was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). While Victoria's mother was pregnant with her, the left side of her heart did not form correctly, causing an urgent need for surgery just after birth to help restore its function, or Victoria would die.

Christina's Success Story (PDA)

May 31, 2018 – Christina was born with a variety of medical complications and congenital heart defects. She is now a 23 year pursuing a dental career. The Heart Institute and Nicklaus Children's Hospital provided the care she needed when she was a baby, and for that, they will always hold a special place in her heart.

Patient of the Month: Theodore

March 15, 2018 – When she was just 18 weeks pregnant, Micheleen, learned that her baby would be born with a congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped, as well as a cleft palate and cleft lip.

Outpatient Surgery Success Story

February 28, 2018 – Caludell noticed that 6 of her 11 children had belly buttons that stuck out, and they seemed to become more pronounced around the time they entered kindergarten. When her daughters started to become self-concious about how their belly buttons looked, Claudell was able to schedule all 6 umbilical repair surgeries on the same day at the Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Ryan's ACL Surgery Success Story

January 24, 2018 – Our 10 year old son, Ryan, tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his left leg this past summer. I have frequently been asked, isn’t 10 years old very young to tear an ACL? Yes, for children that young, it is rare, but not unheard of.

Lucas’ Success Story

January 15, 2018 – August 15, 2017 was the day my son Lucas was admitted to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for purposes of treating uncontrollable seizures. After being admitted at a previous children’s hospital on three consecutive occasions and many EEGs later, we were referred to Nicklaus Children’s by a neurologist.

Patient of the Month: Frankie

December 04, 2017 – What was supposed to be a fun day for Frankie and his sister with their uncle quickly took an unexpected and tragic turn. Frankie was kicked in the head by a horse at the ranch they were visiting, and he suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Baby Carter's Story

November 09, 2017 – Baby Carter had a unique anomaly where his intestines stay out of his abdomen. With the help of the specialists from Fetal Care Services at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Carter is now able to live a healthy and normal life.

Camila Dances Away from Congenital Heart Disease

October 18, 2017 – Camila Parra, 17, is too busy dancing to think about the fact that she could have become a tragic statistic. She had been feeling some fatigue when participating in her rigorous dance program. After a free heart screening, Camila and her mother were stunned to learn that the teen's echocardiogram was abnormal.

Harper's Success Story

August 31, 2017 – When Harper was diagnosed with Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome shortly after birth, her family knew they wanted the best team possible for her tongue reduction surgery. Harper now leads a limitless life thanks to Dr. Chad Perlyn, an expert in treating macroglossia, and the Craniofacial Center at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

A happy surgical outcome for family of infant with Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome

August 29, 2017 – Alyssa Caulley talks about her experiences at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, where she decided to have her daughter's surgery for Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS).

Baby Grace Beats All Odds Despite Rocky Start to Life

August 28, 2017 – Grace was transferred to Nicklaus Children’s for what referring doctors believed were complications associated with neonatal sepsis. Soon after, the care team learned Grace had an enlarged failing heart due to hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a complex congenital heart defect that essentially means the baby was born with half a heart.

Patient of the Month: Piero

August 02, 2017 – Meet our August Patient of the Month, Piero. Born at just 27 weeks old, Piero had to be admitted into the NICU at the hospital where he was born and was intubated to allow his lungs to continue developing.

Boy with Rare, Genetic Syndrome Returns Home to Trinidad After Complex Craniofacial Surgery

July 19, 2017 – A team of surgeons from Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Craniofacial Center performed a complex reconstructive surgery on a seven year-old child that will improve his vision and ability to eat, as well as his appearance and overall quality of life.

Patient of the Month: Lacy

July 10, 2017 – Meet our July Patient of the Month, Lacy. Lacy was only 2 years old when her parents noticed that something was wrong. They took her to various doctors to try to find what could be the cause, Lacy had an 8 cm. tumor in her brain, occupying most of the lower part of her head.